Mornings are brisker. The air is crisper. The wind blows a little more. Leaves are turning orange and red and falling. The sun sets earlier in the evenings. Fall is upon us. This also means that drivers are more at risk of accidents, which may surprise you. According to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), there is an increase in car accident deaths in the autumn, especially for pedestrians. One of the deadliest days of the year is in the fall — Halloween, to be exact.
What Makes Driving in Autumn More Dangerous?
- More Darkness – Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins in the spring and ends in the fall. In the fall, we turn our clocks back an hour. This measure was originally intended to conserve fuel and power by shifting the day so that there was more daylight when people were awake. With the number of daylight hours diminishing as autumn grows deeper, it gets darker earlier in the evening. Some people have more difficulty driving in the dark because of the change in visibility. There is a period of time after the time changes in November where drivers are still adjusting to this increased darkness, so more accidents may occur.
- Fall Weather – The change in weather in the fall brings cooler temperatures. In some parts of the country, this means it starts snowing, and snow can make driving difficult. Slippery roads from snow and ice can cause vehicles to slide and drivers to lose control of their vehicles, leading to accidents.
- Back to School – Most of the nation’s children return to school right before fall begins. Kids heading back to school means there is an increase in their daily movements, including walking to and from school or to the bus. An increase in school buses, for example, leads to more traffic stops as buses pick up and drop off children. Drivers must be vigilant during this time, as pedestrian accidents are possible at these stopping points. Drivers also have to be mindful of school zone speed limits, as children are moving throughout school campuses. Additionally, sports and other extracurricular activities occur more often in fall and teen drivers often transport themselves to and from these events. Teen drivers are much less experienced in operating vehicles and are more prone to accidents.
- Wildlife – Some animals’ sleeping patterns change in the fall. During this time of year, nocturnal animals have more darkness to roam about after DST ends. Since drivers are also traveling more during these dark hours, more accidents involving animals can occur. This is especially so for deer. The fall is mating season for deer, and they are most active when the sun sets, which is during peak driving teams due to DST. Drivers are at greater risk of colliding with a deer when one darts out onto a road in the darkness with low visibility, potentially causing a dangerous accident or multi-car pileup.
- Halloween – It’s no coincidence that one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians falls on this holiday. While dressing up and begging for candy can be fun, a large number of pedestrians tend to be moving around all at once as they trick or treat in the evening and at night. There are also a large number of children moving around the streets on this holiday, and children, by nature, are much less risk-averse and cognizant of drivers. They’re also harder to see than larger people.
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Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause many different injuries, and these injuries can range from mild to severe. After a car accident, you may suffer from:
- Paralysis
- Burns
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken limbs
- Head and neck injuries, like whiplash
- Muscle strains
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Recovering from these injuries can be a long and trying road. If your car accident was caused by someone else, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries.
Prevent Car Accidents in Autumn
When operating a vehicle, a driver must exercise caution and act responsibly at all times. As the risk of car accidents increases in the fall, a driver must take extra care to drive safely. Avoid driving when you’re tired. Try to avoid driving during adverse weather conditions. If a driver has difficulty adjusting to driving or walking in the dark, try to be more aware of the end of Daylight Savings Time and be prepared to adjust to less sunlight. The more careful and diligent you are, the more you decrease your risk of being involved in a car accident and being seriously injured.
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If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible for it. At DeMayo Law Offices, our North Carolina car accident lawyer have decades of experience helping people receive justice and obtain fair compensation for their accident-related losses. If you decide to have us take on your case, we’ll work hard for you. And you won’t have to pay us until we get compensation for you. Contact us today at (877) 333-1000 or online for your free consultation.
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